ES1217034U - ADAPTER DEVICE MONOPIEZA FOR THE OCULAR INSTILATION OF OFTALMIC DROPS OF A CONTAINER (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

One-piece adapter device for the administration of ophthalmic drops, comprising: - an elongated adjustment zone forming an adjustment body of the adapter device for receiving a single-dose container of ophthalmic fluid, the adjustment zone also comprising at least one means for securing said container, - a support appendage attached as an extension to the adjustment body ending in an ergonomic distal end, adapted to be supported in the lower area of the eyelid, characterized in that it contains at least one projection on the adjustment body for the purpose of pressing the container and facilitating the pressure output of the ophthalmic fluid. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Single piece adapter device for ocular instillation of ophthalmic drops from a container

The present application refers to an external adapter device for use with a single dose container for the ocular instillation of an ophthalmic substance, in particular for the instillation of ophthalmic drops.

The use of single dose devices for instillation of ophthalmic substances is known. Ophthalmic drops are generally used to prevent and eliminate eye diseases, such as dry eyes, inflammations, glaucoma, allergies, the effect of "red eyes", due to fatigue or tiredness, or even to prevent eye infections after an ophthalmic operation.

These ophthalmic substances are usually packaged in a container, container or reservoir with a dispensing outlet for application. Additionally, they have a "neck" or channel between said outlet and the container to regulate the quantity supplied and avoid a massive supply of said drops. Normally, to deliver the drops the patient must turn the head back, position the container in the direction as correct as possible to apply the drops, and then apply force on the container to allow the drops to exit through the dispensing exit of the container.

Many people have difficulty self-administering the drops. This is especially true with regard to the elderly, physically invalid or those with little strength. In particular, one of the major drawbacks for this type of people is to apply a sufficient force to the container of the drops to allow them to exit while holding the single-dose device with one hand.

The walls of the single-dose devices are usually elastic and deformable by tightening the user. However, the characteristics of such single-dose containers are not homogeneous according to their design, so it is common for many users to have difficulty applying the necessary pressure for the drop to be dispensed.

Additionally, another drawback is to position the exit in the correct direction so that the ophthalmic drop is applied correctly. Even for those who are

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capable of achieving a proper positioning, there is a natural reflection of blinking that makes the process more laborious and can cause the drop to spill and not be applied inside the eye.

All of the above entails an economic cost due to the waste of ophthalmic substance, as well as an uncertainty in the user, since many times it is not certain whether the ophthalmic substance was applied correctly.

Also, in many cases, there is the inconvenience that many times the patient does not bring the mouthpiece close enough to the eye for fear that it touches the cornea, hindering the correct instillation of gout.

There are some embodiments in the state of the art intended to facilitate ocular instillation and overcome some of the disadvantages in the state of the art. The Spanish utility model document U9002445Y discloses a device, although multidose, for ocular instillation of ophthalmic substances that incorporates an adapter extension to be used as support in the lower area of the eyelid to help keep the eye open during instillation

The Austrian patent application AT515704A1 and the US patent US5133702 disclose devices in order to solve some of these inconveniences. However, they have the disadvantage of needing a mechanism with several parts with relative movement between them, a greater quantity of parts in a mechanism, represents a greater risk of decoupling, loss or breakage, canceling the operation of the device if a replacement is not achieved . Additionally, these documents do not disclose a technical effect that prevents excessive turning of the patient's head backwards during the procedure of applying the drops.

US Patent Application US5429621A discloses a device to solve some of these disadvantages. It has a surface on which the single-dose container is placed, an adapter appendix that rests on the lower area of the eyelid and a container holding mechanism by means of two wings that enclose the surface of the tank. However, this system continues to present significant disadvantages. The means to facilitate the pressure of the patient, consist of two pieces on the sides or wings, so that, by placing the single-dose container in the base and closing the device for its application, involuntary pressure can be made on the walls of the container, causing that

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The medicine spills. Otherwise, the patient should place it in position to later with the other hand try to close the wings and put pressure on the container. Additionally, said system still has the disadvantage that the patient will have to turn the head excessively to achieve the correct positioning of the medicine, since it is determined by the angle of the appendix with respect to the container placement surface, which in said invention It is null.

The present invention aims to solve some of the problems mentioned in the state of the art.

More particularly, the present invention discloses a single piece adapter device for ocular instillation of ophthalmic drops from a container, comprising:

- an elongated adjustment zone that forms an adjustment body of the adapter device to receive a single-dose ophthalmic fluid container, the adjustment zone also comprising at least one securing means of said container,

- a support appendage attached as an extension to the adjustment body that ends at an ergonomic distal end, adapted to be supported in the lower eyelid area,

- at least one projection in the adjustment body in order to press the container and facilitate the exit by pressure of the ophthalmic fluid.

Preferably, the support appendix is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment body. Preferably, said inclination has an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment body between 1 and 90 °. More preferably, said angle is between 10 and 35 °.

Preferably, the projection in the adjustment body has a triangular prism shaped cross section. In another preferred embodiment said projection has a cross section in the shape of a hill. In other embodiments said projection has a rectangular cross-section. Said projection can have any other shape that allows to favor the pressure on the elastic walls of the container.

Preferably, the projection is arranged centrally in the adjustment zone. In other embodiments, the projection encompasses the entire cross section of the adjustment zone.

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The ergonomic distal end adapter device, adapted to be supported in the lower eyelid area, preferably has a cylindrical wall shape. In another embodiment said distal end has a concave shape. In another preferred embodiment, it has a widening on its sides. Said distal end may have any other ergonomic shape that favors contact with the lower eyelid area.

Preferably, the adapter securing means comprises a hollow hole in the adjustment zone to receive the subsequent extension of the single-dose container. In this way, due to elastic resilience in the contact area of the extension of the container with the edges of the hollow hole, the container will be maintained in the desired position providing said support.

More preferably, the adapter device will have additional fastening means comprising L-shaped flanges, arranged perpendicularly to the adjustment zone from its shorter side. In a further embodiment, said additional fastening means comprises at least two walls arranged perpendicularly to the upper face of the adjustment zone.

Preferably, the adapter device at the junction between the support appendix and the adjustment body comprises at least one projection on each side that abuts the container, leaving a central space for the dispensing exit of the ophthalmic fluid container.

In a further embodiment, the adapter device will also have a clamp arm articulated to the adjustment body. The clamp arm connects to the adjustment body by means of a weakened area, leaving room for the nozzle or dispensing outlet. The clamp arm will additionally have at least one projection arranged perpendicularly to the underside of said clamp arm to facilitate the exit by ophthalmic flow pressure.

For your better understanding, some illustrative drawings of some of the embodiments of the present invention included in this document are attached by way of explanatory but not limiting example.

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Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a single-dose ophthalmic drop container in a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the embodiment according to figures 1 and 2, with the single-dose container placed in the adjustment zone.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a side view of Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 7 shows an example of use according to the embodiment of Figure 4.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment.

Figure 10 shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure 9.

Figure 11 shows an example of the use of the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention of an adapter device -1- for a single-dose container -8- for ocular instillation of an ophthalmic substance. Said adapter device is formed by a single body comprising an adjustment area -2- that projects longitudinally, forming an adjustment body of the adapter device to receive a container -8- of ophthalmic fluid, the adjustment zone also comprising at least a means for holding said container -8-, which comprises a flange -3- arranged in an L-shape, perpendicular to the adjustment zone from its shorter side. The extension -9- of the single-dose container is adjusted to said tab. Preferably, the flange -3- is elastic and flexible, to better adapt to the thickness of the extension -9- of different containers -8-. Additionally, the present embodiment also has a means of

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additional support, which consists of a hollow hole -4- arranged in the adjustment area -2-, said hollow -4- adapted to receive the rear extension -9- of the single-dose container and thus facilitate its clamping. The extension -9- of the container is inserted in said hollow hole and by elastic resilience in the contact area at the edges of the hole it will keep the extension -9- in the desired position allowing said support. The present embodiment, since it comprises both clamping means, simultaneously, has important advantages, since, depending on the thickness of the single-dose container extension, which is not commercially universal, the patient can use the most convenient clamping means.

The embodiment of Figure 1 also includes a support area comprising a support appendix -6- attached as an extension to the adjustment body, the support appendix -6- ends at an ergonomic distal end -7- with a rounded shape, approximately cylindrical, adapted to be supported in the lower eyelid area. The support appendix is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment body in order to facilitate its application and decrease the uncomfortable rotation of the head by the patient. This being particularly important in elderly patients or those with physical disabilities. Additionally, said inclination has other technical effects such as an optimal separation between the support in the lower area of the eyelid and the nozzle of the container, which allows a better centering of said nozzle, as well as allows greater comfort in adjusting the thumb during the application of eye drops.

The adapter device, additionally, comprises a projection -5- in order to facilitate pressure exit, said projection has a triangular prism-shaped cross section.

Figure 3 shows a side view with the single-dose container placed in the adjustment zone.

Figures 4 show a second embodiment of an adapter device -10- for a single-dose container -8- for ocular instillation of an ophthalmic substance. The adapter device -10- formed by a single body comprising an adjustment zone -14- that is projected longitudinally forming a fitting body of the adapter device intended to receive a single-dose ophthalmic fluid container. The adjustment zone -14- comprises at least one means for securing said container comprising a flange -11- arranged in an L-shape, arranged perpendicularly to the adjustment zone

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from its side of shorter length. Depending on the thickness of the extension -9- of the single-dose container, this can be adjusted to said tab. Preferably the flange -11- is elastic and flexible, which allows it to better adapt to the thickness of different containers -8-. Additionally, the embodiment shown may also have an additional fastening means, consisting of a hole -12- arranged in the adjustment zone -2- adapted to receive the posterior extension -9- of the single-dose container and thus facilitate its clamping .

The embodiment of Figure 4 also comprises a support appendix -15- attached as an extension to the adjustment body. The support appendix -15- is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment body in order to facilitate its application and decrease the uncomfortable rotation of the head by the patient. This being particularly important in elderly patients or those with physical disabilities. Additionally, said inclination has other technical effects such as an optimal separation between the support in the lower area of the eyelid and the nozzle of the container, which allows a better centering of said nozzle, as well as allows greater comfort in adjusting the thumb during the application of eye drops. Said support appendix ends in a bend -33-, which has an ergonomic distal end -16- concavely shaped, adapted to be supported in the lower eyelid area.

The adapter device comprises a projection -13-, said projection has a triangular prism shaped cross section.

The embodiment of figures 4 to 7, at the junction between the support appendix and the adjustment appendix, comprises a projection -17- on each side, said projections -17- stop the container, leaving a space central for the dispensing exit of the ophthalmic fluid container.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of an adapter device -18- for a single-dose container for ocular instillation of an ophthalmic substance. Said adapter device -18- is formed by a single body comprising an adjustment zone -23- that is projected longitudinally, forming an adjustment body of the adapter device to receive a single-dose ophthalmic fluid container. The adjustment zone comprises a clamping means for said container -8-. The adapter device comprises in the adjustment zone -23- a fastening means comprising at least 2 side walls -19- arranged perpendicularly to the upper face of the support area.

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The embodiment of Figure 8 comprises a support area, which in turn comprises a support appendix -24- attached as an extension to the adjustment body -23-. The support appendix -24- ends at an ergonomic distal end -22- with a concave shape, adapted to be supported in the lower eyelid area. The support appendix -24- is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment body -23- in order to facilitate its application and decrease the uncomfortable rotation of the head by the patient. This being particularly important in elderly patients or those with physical disabilities. Additionally, said inclination has other technical effects such as an optimal separation between the support in the lower area of the eyelid and the nozzle of the container, which allows a better centering of said nozzle, as well as allows greater comfort in adjusting the thumb during the application of eye drops. The adapter device additionally comprises a projection -20- in order to facilitate the pressure outlet of the ophthalmic fluid, said projection has a cross-section in the form of a hill. The projection -20- preferably covers the entire cross section of the adjustment zone. Additionally, at the junction between the support appendix and the adjustment appendix, at least one projection -21- is disposed on each of the sides that stop the container, leaving a central space for the dispensing exit of the container of ophthalmic fluid

The embodiment of Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an adapter device -25- for a single-dose container -8- for ocular instillation of an ophthalmic substance, said adapter device being formed by a single body and comprising an adjustment zone -26- that projects longitudinally forming an adjustment body of the adapter device to receive a single-dose ophthalmic fluid container. The adjustment zone comprises at least one means of attachment to said container.

The embodiment of figure 9 comprises, of a support area which in turn comprises a support appendix -28- arranged as an extension of the adjustment body -26-. The support appendix is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment body in order to facilitate its application and decrease the uncomfortable rotation of the head by the patient. This being particularly important in elderly patients or those with physical disabilities. Additionally, said inclination has other technical effects such as an optimal separation between the support in the lower area of the eyelid and the nozzle of the container, which allows a better centering of said nozzle, as well as allows greater comfort in adjusting the thumb during the application of eye drops.

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The support appendix -28- ends at an ergonomic distal end -29- that has a widening on its sides, adapted to be supported in the lower eyelid area.

The adapter device -25- has a clamp arm -30-. The clamp arm -30- is articulated to the adjustment body -26- by means of a weakened area -31-. The dispensing outlet is arranged in such a way that it leaves room for the nozzle or dispensing outlet of the single-dose container. The clamp arm -30- has at least one additional projection -32- arranged perpendicularly to the lower face of the clamp body -30- that contribute to facilitating the pressure outlet of the ophthalmic flow.

The adjustment body also comprises a projection 27 for the purpose of facilitating pressure exit, said projection has a triangular prism-shaped cross-section. Said projection -27- preferably covers the entire cross section of the adjustment zone. This embodiment consists of a single piece adapter device, made of the same plastic material by injection.

This embodiment allows the ease of exerting pressure by means of a clamp by clamp, with respect to doing so with the fingers on the single-dose container, while, simultaneously, the support surface should be held.

Note that all embodiments are made in one piece, thus avoiding mechanisms that can be damaged, decoupled and parts that can be lost.

Likewise, the embodiments of the present invention avoid the inconveniences of improperly addressing the mouthpiece, the involuntary blinking of the patient and prevents the mouthpiece of the container from coming into contact with the patient's eye.

The invention is also particularly convenient, for those patients who have difficulty in exerting the pressure necessary for dispensing, since it has a projection on the upper face of the adjustment surface that will allow, for the same force exerted by the patient, that there is a greater elastic deformation of the container walls. Likewise, the strategic location of the projection on the upper face of the adjustment zone allows a particularly practical application, as well as a single-piece adapter device.

While the invention has been described and represented based on several representative examples, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example, are not in any way limiting to the present invention, so any of the variations that are included in a manner Directly or by equivalence in the content of the appended claims, they should be considered to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (18)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 1. Single piece adapter device for the administration of ophthalmic drops, comprising: - an elongated adjustment zone that forms an adjustment body of the adapter device to receive a single-dose ophthalmic fluid container, the adjustment zone also comprising at least one securing means of said container, - a support appendage attached as an extension to the adjustment body that ends at an ergonomic distal end, adapted to be supported in the lower eyelid area, characterized in that it contains at least one protrusion in the adjustment body in order to press the container and facilitate the exit by pressure of the ophthalmic fluid. 2. Adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support appendix is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment body. 3. Adapter device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle of inclination is between 1 and 90 °, 4. Adapter device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle of inclination is between 10 and 35 °, 5. Adapter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projection has a triangular prism shaped cross section. 6. Adapter device according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the projection has a cross-section in the form of a hill. 7. Adapter device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projection covers the entire cross section of the adjustment zone. 8. Adapter device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the projection is arranged only in the central part in the adjustment zone. 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 9. Adapter device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support appendix at its distal end has a cylindrical wall shape. 10. Adapter device according to claim 1 to 8, characterized in that the support appendix at its distal end has a concave shape. 11. Adapter device according to claim 1 to 8, characterized in that the support appendix at its distal end has a widening at its sides. 12. Adapter device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping means comprises a hollow hole in the adjustment zone for single-dose container insertion. 13. Adapter device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping means comprises L-shaped flanges arranged perpendicularly to the adjustment zone from its shorter side. 14. Adapter device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the clamping means comprises at least 2 side walls arranged perpendicularly to the upper face of the adjustment zone. 15. Adapter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the junction between the support appendix and the adjustment body it comprises at least one projection on each of the sides that stop the container, leaving a space central for the dispensing exit of the ophthalmic fluid container. 16. Adapter device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it has a clamp arm articulated to the adjustment body. 17. Adapter device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said clamp arm connects to the adjustment body by means of a weakened area, leaving room for the nozzle or dispensing outlet of the single-dose container. 18. Adapter device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the clamp arm has at least one additional projection arranged perpendicularly to the underside of the clamp appendix to facilitate the outflow of ophthalmic flow.